Head in the Clouds Amherst: Thank you, Baer

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Thank you, Baer

"Falling Down" - North East Street, Amherst
Photo by Baer Tierkel

This must be

my birthday there

in paradise

~ Gasan Jōseki's death poem, c. 1320 BCE

Our community lost Baer Tierkel yesterday, a man who was generous in every way, a true mensch, joyful, a leader, a devoted husband and father, and a friend to so many. He lived life to its fullest. You will hear many accolades in the days to come, and we would like to add one more - he was also an amazing, talented photographer. This image of Baer's was the featured photo for November in the 2016 Head in the Clouds Amherst calendar. In just one photograph, he managed to tell the entire story of fall in New England, from the brilliant colors of the hills in the distance, to the sunflowers in the foreground, well past harvest, bowing to the inevitable passage of the season. He titled this photo, very simply, "Falling Down."

Thank you for bringing us the world through your eyes and your spirit, Baer. Your "birthday there in paradise" must surely be a whole community, New Orleans-style second line celebration. 🎺🎷🎻

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On Puffer's Pond

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 3:35 pm: The past two days have seen record-breaking cold in the area, with the temperature dipping to -14F overnight, Friday into Saturday. To make matters worse, the wind was unyielding, whipping through the trees and driving wind chill readings down to -40F. In a season that had been unusually mild up until that point, it was something of a shock. Local residents were suddenly forced to think about warming up their cars, preventing pipes from freezing, and dressing in multiple layers to walk their dogs. By Saturday, while many were happy to hunker down and wait for temperatures to stop breaking low records, this was the moment that ice fishers and skaters had been waiting for all winter. With temps hovering around 12F (albeit above zero) by Saturday afternoon, Puffer's Pond was the place to be for about 30 people, many of whom were spread out over the ice, either ice fishing or playing hockey. While this is a fairly typical sight at Puffer's in the coldest winter months, our current lack of snow made it unique. No one had to contend with snowpack - the skaters didn't even have to clear a "field" for their game. And with all the hiking paths snow and ice-free, photographers had no trouble capturing water flowing through, under, and around layers of ice on the water. And, still, at 12F, without hand and foot warmers, I did not linger long. The temps will be rising quickly in the coming week, climbing well above freezing, even to 50F in the days to come. So, I'm guessing the skaters and ice fishers also won't be here much longer.

(Read past entries here.)

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Saturday, March 26, 2022

Thank you, Baer

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